Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-01

ing some of these flashes of reason she has let !
fall rambling remarks which beyond doubt |
point to her husband as the author of the
fire. Her disordered brain clings to the fixed |
idea that he removed the twin boys and then |
fired the house. This opinion was said to he
shared by Mrs. Dumoray's mother, with |
whom the unhappy woman took refuge |
when she escaped from the flames.
"Such was the rumor, too unpleasant to be |
credited. Accordingly, reporter of The |
Daily News was sent to the house of Mrs |
Dumorays mother to trace the origin of the
ugly suspicion, if possible. Mrs. Bliss is
lady noted for her charitable deeds and moves |
in the highest social circles.
"Our reporter was admitted to an inter |
view, and the following conversation took
place.
"Reporter-I have called, madam, to ascer-
tain your opinion as to the truth of the rumor !
that your son-in-law set fire to his own house.
MRS. Bliss seemed overcome with emotion.
Affection such as hers should, perhaps be
sacred from the public eye. But the public
is interested in unwilling the mystery, perhaps
the crime, that lies back of the fire on Linden
street. The lady spoke at length, with visible
reluctance, substantially as follows
"Mrs Bliss-I would be far from laying
any straw in the way of my daughters hus-
band He has enough to answer for rs it is.
My poor darling's mental condition, and
what brought her to it, are well enough
known.
Reporter - Did you understand your
daughter at any time to convey the impress
sion that she saw Mr.. Dumoray applying a
match to the combustible material i'll the
library!
"Mrs. Bliss-Of course my poor daughter is
out of her mind. What she says may be
fact, or it may be only an insane fancy But
when she has seemed to be in her right senses
she has insisted from the first that she saw
her husband carry the children down stairs
and out of the door to the rustic garden house.
He went carefully so as not to waken them.
He left them there, and went into the library.
My daughter watched him. She saw n bright
blaze in the corner of the ROOM Then she
ran away and came to me. She was fright
ened almost to death, as well she might have
been, poor darlingl
Reporter-What motive could Mr.. Dunno
ray have for the deed'
"Mrs Bliss-The house was heavily in
sured, though I would not wish to think a
man of his wealth would commit such a
crime on that account He was educated in
Germany. He has often been heard to re-
greet he ever left there. He could hide the
children awhile, and then go to Germany and
take them with him, after the excitement of
the fire had blown over. 1t has been limited
to us that he wished to get rid of his wife to
marry q woman in Germany. You will spare
wretched mothers feelings further, am
sure. | do not wish to be forced to conclude
my son-in-law was such monster as to
No, no, he surely would not have set fire to
the house expecting that his insane wife would
be burned to DEATH My child has been the
| victim of cruel wrong.
Here the afflicted lady's feeling quite over
| came her, and the reporter took his leave,
after thanking her for her kindness in forcing
herself to talk on subject repugnant to
her feelings.
"Mrs Bliss refrains from making any accu-
sation against her son-n-law, it will be OBJ
served. Her delicacy of feeling in this respect
can only increase the sympathy which must
be universally drawn toward this estimable
| lady in her sorrows"
1t fell like a thunder bolt upon Philip
Dumoray. 1t is not too much to say that at
this point his feelings also quite overcame
him. He had not wholly learned, at that
time, the self control which is the first duty
| of man to himself. He rose slowly to his feet,
in white rage, he muttered:
g. I'll murder that old woman"
He hurried out to the street and away.
He rang the bell at the Bliss mansion.
"Where is Mrs Bliss"
The grim old colored serving man an
swered
"Yer mother-in-aws got the mewks to-
day."
| "Wha-a-tW
oyer mother-in-law's got the mewks."
"What do you meanp
"She's got one of her spells, sir, when no
body can do nothing to please her. If you
| ask her if she'll have the carriage out she
snaps your head off, and says we're tryin' to
torment her into her grave. Then she draws
her mouth down at the corners and says
she'll be in her grave soon enough, dear
knows, with all her sufferings Better not
90 in to-day, sir"
The man was an old familiar, and spoke his
mind to Philip, But Philip strobe past kim.
On sofa up stairs lay the lady with the pow
erfully emotional nature. She had a wrinkled
nose. 1t was red and shiny to-day from
much rubbing. Her eyes were rs the eaden,
lifeless orbs Of mackerel in pickle. The
good dame had an inexhaustible capacity for
tears. Her mouth was drawn down at the
corners habitualy. To-day it was very far
down, indeed. She looked up when she heard
somebody coming.
She saw it was her son-inlaw and put her
handkerchief to her eyes. He laid heavy
hand on her shoulder He held the paper to-
ward her
"Woman, what devils lie is this''
Instantly she removed the handkerchief
and stared at him with dry, spiteful eyes.
"Go on" she said It's like you. You
want to beat me black and blue, do you? and
drive me crazy, as you did my poor dar
lingo Go on I'm only a weak, helpless
| woman"
His hand dropped A crimson flush, turn
ing to purple, slowly dyed the check of Philip
Dumoray.
If people will talk, I'm sure | can't help
it," she went on complainingly. 81 don't see
why you come here to insult me in my own
house. and my poor darling insane, and me
with my nerves all shattered"
"She put up her handkerchief again.
~ beg your PARDON" said Philip. "But
you must know you set this lie going your